Improvement in adjustable wrench



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JAMES MAGEE,l OF USQUEPAUGH, RHODE ISLAND, ASSIGNOR lT0 HIMSELE AND S. A. ALPIN, 0E SAME PLAGE.

Letters Patent No. 98,393, dated December v28, 1869.

IMPROVEMENT IN ADJUSTABLE vWRENCH.

I The Schedule referred to in these Letters Patent and making part of the same.

To all whom it may concern:v

Be it known that I, J AMES MAGEE, of the vvillage of Usquepaugh, county of Washington, and State of Rhode Islaud, have invented .a certain new and useful Adj ustable Wrench.`

My invention consists in the novel arrangement of the operative parts ofthe wrench, by means of which a simple, effective, durable, and economical adjustable wrench is produced; and I hereby declare that the following specification, taken inconnection with-the drawings furnished and forming a part of the same, is a true, clear', and exact description thereof', reference being had to the drawings. l

Figure 1 represents, in perspective, one of my adjustable wrenches complete.`

A is the handle, shank, and stationary jaw of the wrench, preferably, Vin practice, to be made of a single piece of metal.

Bis a ratchet-bar, connected at one end with the shank A, near the handle proper, and at the other end with the stationary jaw, by. means of a mortise in its face.

The upper edge of the ratchet-bar is provided with ratchet-notches, the vertical sides of which are toward the' handle. v

C is the adjustable jaw, mortised and fitted to slide loosely upon thev bar B, and be capable of a slightly rocking movement forward and back.

D is a steel spring, firmly fixed to the lower part of the jaw C, and arranged to so bear against the under side of the bar as to cause the jaw to lean backward slightly, causing the rear upper edge of' the mortise in C, through which the bar B passes, to become engaged with the ratchet-notches, and be held firmly in.

To operate my wrench, it is only necessary, in closing the jaws, to apply simple pressure to the jaw C in vthe requisite direction.

`To move it backward, the adjustable jaw C should be rocked forward slightly, thus bringing the upper rear edge of the slot out of the notch with which it may have been engaged.

I am aware, that to a limited extent, adjustable wrencheshave been made, in which the notched sliding bar, adjustable jaw, and spring have beenused; y

but I am not aware that an adjustable wrench was ever before constructed and so arranged that the jaw and handle will be constructed in one piece, and there- .by afford for the adjustable jaw, when mounted upon a sliding bar, av firm and reliable support, by which great'strength and eiectiveuess are secured, as well as admitting of great economy in its manufacture.

Having thus described my-invention,

I claim as new, and desire-t0 secure by Letters Patent of the United States- The improved adjustable wrench, composed of' handle and jaw A, guide-bar B, spring `D, and adjustable jaw C, constructed as described.

Witnesses: j JAMES MAGEE.

JOHN G. CLARKE, JAMES E. BABcooK. 

